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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > War fiction > Second World War fiction
As the Second World War enters its final stages, millions in Germany are forced from their homes by bombing, compelled to seek shelter in the countryside where there are barely the resources to feed them.
Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and her older sister Billie have escaped the devastation of the city for the relative safety of a dairy farm. But even here the power struggles of the war play out: the family depend on the goodwill of Luisa’s brother-in-law, an SS officer, who in expectation of payment turns his attention away from his wife and towards Billie. Luisa immerses herself in books, but even she notices the Allied bombers flying east above them, the gauntness of the prisoners at the camp nearby, the disappearance of fresh-faced boys from the milk shed – hastily shipped off to a war that’s already lost.
Living on the farm teaches Luisa about life and death, but it’s man’s capacity for violence that provides the ultimate lesson, that robs her of her innocent ignorance. When, at a birthday celebration, her worst fears are realized, Luisa collapses under the weight of the inexplicable.
Ralf Rothmann’s previous novel, To Die in Spring, described the horror of war and the damage done on the battlefield. The God of that Summer tells the devastating story of civilians caught up in the chaos of defeat, of events that might lead a twelve-year-old child to justifiably say: ‘I have experienced everything.’
**Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2021** **Winner of the RSL Encore
Award** ** From the author of Golden Hill ** 'My god he can write.'
Richard Osman 'Glorious.' Evening Standard 'Exhilarating.' TLS
'Brilliant.' Observer 'Dazzling.' The Times 'Extraordinary.'
Financial Times 'Superb.' Guardian November 1944. A German rocket
strikes London and five young children are atomised in an instant.
Here are the futures they might have known, had they experienced
the unimaginable changes of the twentieth century - futures that
illuminate the miraculous in the everyday, and the preciousness of
life itself.
Chris Kraus' The Bastard Factory tells the story of an entire
epoch: a drama of betrayal and self-delusion spanning the years
1905 to 1975, taking us from Riga to Moscow, Berlin and Munich all
the way to Tel Aviv. Hubert and Konstantin Solm are brothers, born
in Riga at the beginning of the twentieth century. They will find
themselves - along with their Jewish adopted sister, Ev Solm -
caught up in in the maelstrom of their changing times. As the two
brothers climb the rungs of society - working first for the
government in Nazi Germany, then as agents for the Allied Forces,
and eventually becoming spies for the young West Germany - Ev will
be their constant companion, and eventually a lover to them both.
The passionate love triangle that emerges will propel the
characters to terrifying moral and political depths. The story of
the Solms is also the story of twentieth-century Germany: the
decline of an old world and the rise of a new one - under new
auspices but with the same familiar protagonists. Translated from
the German by Ruth Martin
Codebreaker. Friend. Spy? A thrilling, nail-biting YA mystery with
themes of friendship, loyalty, secrets, and a dash of romance. 'The
appealing setting, nuanced and flawed heroines and engaging plot
make this a gripping read' THE IRISH TIMES 'A tense and gripping
period piece.' CHRIS SOUL 'Absolutely brilliant' FIONA SHARP,
Waterstones Bookseller Wartime. Pearl and Ellen work at top-secret
codebreaking HQ, Bletchley Park. Pearl is the youngest. A messenger
at sixteen, she's untidy, lively, bright, and half in love with the
wrong boy, Richard. Her circle of friends overlaps with his - the
dashing young men on their motorcycles who courier the secrets that
Bletchley deciphers. Ellen is a codebreaker. Reserved, analytical
and beautiful. She never expected to get close to a girl like Pearl
- or fall for a chap like Dennis. But when tragedy strikes, their
logical world is upended, with both friends caught in a spy plot
that rocks the very heart of the war effort. Who can they turn to
now? Who can they trust? And above all, can they unmask the traitor
in their midst before it's too late? Follows two young women, Pearl
and Ellen, who are recruited to work at Bletchley Park during the
Second World War Set in atmospheric 1940s England, The Secrets Act
also explores serious historical themes Perfect for fans of Code
Name Verity
Passion, war and deadly secrets ... 'Wonderfully moving. A book to
curl up with' Fern Britton 'I absolutely loved this heart-warming
story of wartime secrets, love and redemption' Susan Lewis
'Enthralling from beginning to end' Alan Titchmarsh 'I loved every
word of it!' Katie Fforde 'Well researched and extremely moving. I
really enjoyed it' Jill Mansell 'A fresh and captivating tale of
secrets and bravery ... her contemporary love story is just as
compelling.' Chloe Timms 'An enthralling reminder of the remarkable
women who played a part in winning the war.' Fanny Blake, Daily
Mail ___________________________ 1944: Newly recruited SOE agent
Elisabeth Shepherd is faced with an impossible mission: to
parachute behind enemy lines into Nazi-occupied France and monitor
the new long-range missiles the Germans are working on. Her only
advice? Trust absolutely no one. With danger lurking at every turn,
one wrong move for Elisabeth could spell instant death. 2018: Betty
is about to celebrate her 100th birthday. With her carer Tali at
her side, she receives an invite from the Century Society to
reminisce on the past. Remembering a life shrouded in secrecy and
danger, Betty remains tight-lipped. But when Tali finds a box
filled with maps, letters and a gun hidden in Betty's cellar, it
becomes clear that Betty's secrets are about to be uncovered . . .
Nostalgic, heart-pumping and truly page-turning, OPERATION
MOONLIGHT is both a gripping read and a novel that makes you think
about a generation of women and men who truly knew what it meant to
survive. ___________________________ Readers love Operation
Moonlight ... ***** 'Operation Moonlight goes beyond just another
historical fiction tale of a woman in WWII to a real page-turning
literary account which was a pleasure to read.' ***** 'This is a
wonderful book, very gripping with a slight hint of romance.' *****
'A really engrossing read told in two timelines.' ***** 'I
thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched book.' ***** 'It's one that
will be staying on my shelf.'
The Sweet family have run the local bakery for as long as anyone
can remember.Twins Ruby and Mary Sweet help their widowed father
out when they can. Mary loves baking and has no intention of
leaving their small Gloucestershire village. while Ruby dreams of
life in London. But as war threatens, there will be changes for all
of the Sweet family, with brother Charlie off to serve and cousin
Frances facing evacuation. But there will be opportunities, too, as
the twins' baking talent catches the attention of the Ministry of
Food.... The gripping first instalment in Lizzie Lane's bestselling
heartfelt, gripping Sweet Sisters trilogy. Praise for Lizzie Lane:
'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie
Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and
friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton
'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent
with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as
relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an
exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than
Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller
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Akin
(Paperback)
Emma Donoghue
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R433
R366
Discovery Miles 3 660
Save R67 (15%)
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